月份: 2024 年 6 月

June 27: World Sunglasses Day

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Ancient history

You can say that the need to shield the eyes from the sunlight is as old as humanity itself: bone or walrus ivory masks crafted by the Inuit people in prehistoric times with thin slits to protect the eyes from the sun reflected off ice are a testament to this need. And so are the emerald lenses Roman Emperor Nero was said to have worn when watching endless gladiator fights.  For the first real pair of sunnies, though, we have to wait until the 1700s and the creations of the glassmakers from Murano (where prescription lenses had already been invented): “Goldoni” or “gondola glasses” were elegant glasses with green lenses and side bands used to protect the eyes of the ladies from the air, wind and splashes of water during gondola rides.

The turning point of the 1900s

The golden age of sunglasses is undoubtedly the Twentieth Century.  It all started in the 1920s, when US Army Air Corps Lieutenant John Macready – who had returned from a balloon flight complaining that the sun had permanently damaged his eyes – commissioned an American company to design sunglasses for air force pilots. The first “aviator” designs were born: they soon enjoyed such great success that, in the 1930s, they were no longer produced only for the armed forces, they were donned by the public at large; it’s the beginning of the history of a useful accessory that turned into a glamorous fashion icon. They say, in fact, that since the 1930s, sunglasses became so popular that they replaced what hats had represented until then: a must-have fashion accessory.

Hollywood’s contribution

But the greatest contribution came from eccentric figures, such as Peggy Guggenheim (with her celebrated golden frame recalling the shape of butterfly wings), and Hollywood celebrities.  Like Audrey Hepburn who, in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, turned the Manhattan frame into an icon of style, while Stanley Kubrick – also thanks to the shots of the great fashion photographer Bert Stern – added a mischievous and seductive allure to the heart-shaped sunglasses donned by his Lolita.  But what about men?  Sunglasses have been a men’s wardrobe staple since 1953, like the design worn in 1980 by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in The Blues Brothers.  The 1990s, instead, marked a turning point in style with the minimalist version worn by Keanu Reeves in Matrix: but, at this point, sunglasses had already taken on a new significance.

Summer Buying Days 2024

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An annual event

A few kilometers from Bologna, nestled in the lush, rolling Bologna hills, stands the Palazzo di Varignana resort, a majestic villa dating back to the 1700s that was turned into a Hotel de Charme and a true oasis of peace and relaxation. Against this welcoming backdrop, between June 16-21, Marcolin greeted its customers and buyers for the EMEA Summer Days. This is the annual event during which they can meet, discuss the brand’s values, and discover the new collections of the various license and house brands part of the company’s portfolio.

An opportunity for debate

Five pleasant and intense days in which the sales team also presented in detail the features and goals of the two house brands: ic! berlin e WEB EYEWEAR. Great attention was paid to customer needs and to the margin for improvement of the products and services implemented by Marcolin over the past year. An important event but not the only one: on the same days, Marcolin organized a number of key sales events worldwide, such as the US Summer Buying Days in Santa Barbara (California), the APAC Summer Buying Days in China, Singapore and Australia and those in the Middle East in Phuket (Thailand).

“An important event but not the only one: on the same days, Marcolin organized a number of key sales events worldwide”

The new Corporate Video

Many different topics were discussed, such as the renewal of key licenses, from GCDS to ZEGNA, up to MAX&Co. and Skechers, as well as the new exclusive agreements signed with Christian Louboutin and K-Way in early 2024. But the highlight of the event was the premiere of the new corporate video, #BoundlessVision: a journey through the territory where the Company was born and still continues to grow thanks to its special mix of craftsmanship and innovation. Continuing down its growth path, one step at a time, day after day.

The limited Rolling Stones x ic! berlin Collector’s Edition

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You can’t always get what you want … But, if you try sometimes, well, you just might find – you get what you need. Even Mick Jagger had to admit in the song back in 1964 that you can’t always have what you want. But in this case, you absolutely can. The Rolling Stones and the leading eyewear brand ic! berlin have collaborated to make a dream come true for all fans of the rock legends. The limited Collector’s Edition captures the unmistakable rock ‘n’ roll spirit of the icons uniquely combining it with the innovative design approach of the eyewear brand. Four stunning sunglasses models have been designed to reflect the beloved style of the Stones over generations, giving wearers an effortlessly cool look.

I can’t get no… The model “Satisfaction RS.” With the aviator style, an impressive homage to the music era of the 60s has been crafted.

Pleased to meet you … The model “Sympathy RS.” is inspired by the dark temptation and the blatant allure of the song.

She comes in colours everywhere … The model “Rainbow RS.” celebrates the vivid essence of the lyrics with its multi-colored lens. The shield frame captures the psychedelic rock style of the melody.

But it’s alright, I’m Jumpin’ Jack … The model “Flash RS.” symbolizes the dynamic riffs and explosive character of the unforgettable “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”

Each model features the iconic Rolling Stones logo engraved on the temples. The colors black and gun metal dominate the collection, accentuated by special lenses and the iconic Red Lips on the temples – a nod to the band’s famous red logo. With a Collector’s Box that appropriately celebrates the collaboration, this limited edition is a collection for connoisseurs and lovers of true rock ‘n’ roll. The Rolling Stones x ic! berlin Collector’s Edition is more than just a tribute to one of the world’s most legendary bands. It is a daily wearable statement for those who want to see and experience the world with the same passion as the music icons.

Transforming futures

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A Meeting with Sustainability

The event dedicated to sustainability organized by PAI Partners, a leading private equity firm that once a year brings together the largest companies in which it is a shareholder – including Marcolin – for a two-day event dedicated to sustainability, has just concluded in Aranjuez, the elegant and verdant resort near Madrid. An event that once again this year alternated between talks by industry experts and occasions for debate and intense group sessions. Indeed, Sustainability Club is the cornerstone of PAI’s commitment to these issues and, together with the Sustainability Academy, promotes ad hoc training courses.

The issues on the table

Title of this edition? “Transforming futures” which, alone, goes a long way toward explaining PAI’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and strategic growth as it looks to the future of the companies in its portfolio. All called upon today to improve performance by aiming for decarbonization, fostering biodiversity and, above all, creating value from every point of view: economic, human and environmental. This is a complex and ambitious goal that can no longer be deferred, to be achieved both in established, historical entities and in younger, rapidly growing ones.

Diversity and Inclusion Award

At the conclusion of this two days of work in Spain, the award obtained by Marcolin represents a point of satisfaction and, at the same time, a new opportunity for growth. On one hand, in fact, it is a recognition of Marcolin’s long and serious commitment to gender equality, as evidenced by the third edition of the Leadership Academy dedicated exclusively to future managers and the 40% increase in women in senior leadership roles as well as the 19% increase in women present on Boards of Directors. But, on the other hand, it is also an invitation to stay the course to ensure that diversity and inclusion are never reduced to mere slogans, but rather can create real opportunities for growth and discussion.

Marcolin Talk in Shanghai

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In collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, Marcolin Talk made its debut outside Italy for the first time at the Group’s showroom in Shanghai, in front of an engaged audience of customers, media and industry professionals. Visions was the key theme of the event hosting three illustrious guests: Natsuko Watanabe, General Manager at TOM FORD Beauty, Jerome Bachasson, President of Greater China at ZEGNA; Mauro Maggioni, Board Member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China and CEO Asia Pacific at Golden Goose.

Keywords

The event touched on a variety of topics, ranging from the value of Made in Italy on the global markets – specifically the Asian one – to sustainability up to the relationship between territorial culture and women’s empowerment, innovation and the future. The latest luxury spending trends in Asia after the Covid pandemic were also discussed: according to the 2023 China Luxury Report, by 2030 China will account for 40% of luxury spending globally. In China there is an ever-increasing need for creating new connections between brands and consumers, who today are looking for a more immersive and increasingly digital relationship with the world of values represented by the different brands. New concepts are thus entering the scene, such as experiential retail and cross-projects, new ideas that can boost customer experience and that we will be hearing more and more of soon.

New Challenges

Sustainability is another recurring theme that is perfectly exemplified by the amazing story of Ermenegildo Zegna who, over a century ago, devoted his life to safeguarding the land with a great tree planting project that gave life to Oasi Zegna, the largest private natural park in Europe. This unique legacy, along with quality, is what consumers in China are currently looking for. The Made in Italy sector is traditionally known for product quality even though, to stay competitive in such a dynamic market like the Chinese one, you have to reinvent yourself and take cultural diversity into account. A well-known concept to Natsuko Watanabe who, in the early stages of her consulting career, was the only woman in a male-dominated world. A woman who today, at TOM FORD Beauty, is the only expat to guide an all-Chinese team: and this melting pot of different cultures has once again proven to be a winning value. But what about the future? According to Maggioni we will soon move from today’s reputation economy to a temple economy, where consumption will be guided by consumers’ unexpected search for intimacy and spirituality. After the guests’ speeches, Marcolin CEO Fabrizio Curci concluded by highlighting how important it is to the Company to promote a broader discussion that transcends the logic behind the reference industry, providing its community with the tools needed to see through a new ‘frame’, inspiring transformation and promoting social and cultural debate.